Spoke-stay.



J. P. TAR BOX.

SPOKE STA Y. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 27.1915.

1 ,223,298. Patent ed Apr. 17,1917.

INVENTOE V UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN P. TARBOX, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO CURTISS AEROPLANE & MOTOR CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF NEW.YORK.

k SPOKE-STAY.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN P. TARBOX, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spoke-Stays, of whichthe following iS'a specification.

This invention relates to wire stays of the character employed for. adjustable trussing in aeroplane frame-works, and in particular."

relates to a novel stay partaking of a spoke construction, somewhat after the manner of those spokes employed in the wire wheels of motorcycles, automobiles and similar vehicles. A

Customary practice in regard to the use of truss stays as braces for the fuselage, planes, etc., of an aeroplane involves the use of clevises at the extremities of each wire for the anchorage thereof. and it is necessary to splice or wrap a loop in each wire terminus to form an eyelet for connection to its clevis. This method produces a stay whose strength is weakened by its splices or loop and which necessitates much care and ment.

It is, accordingly, the object of the present invention to provide a wire spoke bracing,

which shall be formed of the same material and to. substantially the same dimensions, save for integral end enlargements, as made use of for the old wiring, but having a means of anchorage which obviates all necessity for splicing or looping the wire ends or employing clevises of any description.

More specifically. the object of the present invention is to provide truss spoke bracing comprising two portions with enlarged extremities, one extremity of each being headed for a spoke anchorage and the other enlarged extremities of the portions being adjustably connected by. a tensi'oning member, and this object is accomplished by such means as are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, described in the following specifications and then more particularly pointed out in the claims which are appended tion.

Specification of Letters Patent.

labor in attachtermed the spoke wire, which is designated hereto and form a part of this applica- Patented Apr. 17, 1917.

Application filed November 27, 1915. Serial No. 63,743.

\Vith reference to the drawings, in which there is illustrated one embodimentof the invention, and throughout the several views,

of which like characters of reference designate similar parts,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the connection of a pair of fuselage struts to a longeron. illustrating the method of anchoring the truss stay of this invention to the fuselage clip;

Fig. 2 is a face view of the clip employed as an anchoring plate;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the clip plate illustrating a spoke shank in the act of being anchored therein; and

Fig. 4 is a similar view after the spoke shank has been finally positioned.

Each single length of the wire bracing adapted to connect the points to be stayed consists of two portions, since it is necessary to interposea turnbuckle or a similar means controlling adjustment of the tension on the wire when equalizing the stresses on the braced portion" of the fuselage, or other part to be stayed. I These separate parts may be 5 and thespoke shank, denoted by the numeral 6. Each hasa desirable spoke anchorage. an example of which is afforded by the fuselage clip 7 of Fig. l, which embraces the longeron 8 on two of its faces and is bent as denoted by the numeral 9 to provide offset surfaces It) which contact directly with vertical and horizontal fuselage struts 11 and 12. It will be understood hat this type of anchorage for the spoke stay of this invention is merely typical of a certain class of uses for which the stay is fitted. and is not a limitation on the universal applicability of the stay. The offset surfaces 10 of the particular clip here shown are usually connected by an arcuate bolt 13 of a flattened U-shape which passes through intersecting struts 11 and 12 and is secured by the customary nuts ll acting against the surfaces 10.

Both the spoke wire 5 and the spoke shank (3 are formed with an enlarged extremity 15 which terminates in a stilLiu/rtheLenlarged and flattened head, or anchoring button 16. The body portion of the wire 5 is of the same dimension and material as that of the ordinary Wire bracing, but at the end opposite to the enlarged portion 15 it is formed with a second enlarged extremity 17 which is adapted to enter one end of the female turnbuckle 18 or a similar adjusting member, the extremity 17 being provided with exterior screw threads 19 adapted to mate with similar threads provided in the turnbuckle. The spoke shank 6 is not drawn out or reduced. to provide a wire body portion, in the single embodiment illustrated, although it iscontemplated by this invention to form .the member 6 similarly to the member 5 if it is found desirable to do so. At the present time, however, adjusting members, such as the turnbuckle 18, with which the wires are equipped are preferably stationed adjacent one of the anchorage points of the wire, as a pair of these wires frequently intersect or pass each other and it would not be desirable to have the turnbuckles of such wires centrally positioned thereon for an inevitable contact which might work an injury to the trussing structure. For this reason the spoke shank 6 has its portion 15, upon which is carried the head 16 formed on one end with the threads 19 for engagement directly to the turnbuckle.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate steps in the method of anchoring a spoke extremity. It will be understood that while the illustrations are concerned with the spoke shank 6, as is also the immediately following description, the manner of anchoring the spoke stay proper is precisely similar. The turnbuckle extremity of the shank, or stay is threaded through the round-edged anchoring aperture 20 which is provided in the securing ears 21 of the clip or other element to which the stay of this invention is to be attached. The shank 15 is then bent through an angle of 90 with respect to the axis of its head 16, as shown in Fig. 3, the other portion of the stay having been treated in the same'manner at its attaching point, the two inner, threaded ends are joined by a turnbuckle which is rotated to secure the desired tension on the stay as a whole, which will draw the latter into the position of actual service shown in Fig. 4. In any alinement, 110wever, the round-edged aperture will afford the bent extremity of shank or stay the play necessary for take-up oscillations.

The U-bolt 13 also serves as an anchorage point for the stays adapted to extend transversely of the fuselage to connect diagonal longcrons 8. but although a spoke anchorage is not possible here the use of a clevis is also dispensed with by forming the enlarged shank 15 with a loop 22 in place of the spoke head 16. Owing to the increased diameter of the shank at each extremity of the stay, it is possible to provide such loops without weakening the structure to an extent resultant in the old method.

' From the foregoing it is believed that the advantages dependent upon the employment of the novel spoke stay of this invention should be apparent without recapitulation. It is desired to emphasize the fact, however, that later adaptations may be made in accordance with conditions concurrent to their adoption that shall be entertained as Within the scope of the invention as it is defined by the appended claims.

lVhat is claimed is:

l. A spoke stay including separable portions, each of said portions being formed with an enlarged extremity and a head extending laterally therefrom.

2. A spoke stay including separable portions, each portion having one enlarged extremity angularly headed for anchorage and means adjustably connecting the portions to determine the tension of said stay.

3. A spoke stay including a wire portion and a shank portion formed with enlarged extremities, said enlarged extremities being provided with bent anchorage heads.

4. A spoke stay including a wire portion and a shank portion, each portion having an enlarged angularly extending headed extremity for separate anchorage and an enlarged exterior-1y threaded extremity for mutual connection.

5. A spoke stay including a wire portion having enlarged extremities respectively angularly headed and threaded, a shank portion having its extremities similarly headed and threaded and a turnbuckle connecting the threaded extremities of said portions.

6. A spoke stay including a wire portion having enlarged extremities, one of which is provided with an angularly extended head, a. shank portion also formed with an angularly extended head and means connecting the other extremities of said portions.

7. As truss bracing in an aeroplane framework, the combination with apertured anchor plates of spoke stays to connect such plates, each stay including a wire portion, a shank portion and means relating such portions, said shank portion being anchored in one of said plates and said wire portion having a spoke-headed anchorage in another of said plates.

8. As truss bracing in an aeroplane framework, the combination with anchor plates formed with round-edged apertures, of :1. spoke stay including a wire portion, a shank portion, means relating said portions, and 8. spoke head formed on each portion for anchorage in said apertured plates, said spoke stays formed with enlarged headed extremiheads being bent at an angle to respective ties for anchorage to "said face portions and portions. a stay formed with an enlarged looped ex- 10 9. As, truss bracing in an aeroplane frametremity for connection to said bolt. 5 work, the combination with a clip compris In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ing angularly arranged face portions and bolt means connecting said portions, of spoke JOHN P. TARBOX.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of latents,

' Washington, D. G. 

